Ohio Man Sentenced for Covering Up Pregnant Woman's Death

James Rothenbusch pleaded guilty to complicity to tampering with evidence in the death of Brittany Fuhr-Storms.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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James Rothenbusch, one of three Ohio men facing charges for trying to cover up the death of 28-year-old pregnant woman Brittany Fuhr-Storms, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison. Rothenbusch pleaded guilty to complicity to tampering with evidence after authorities found Fuhr-Storms' body stuffed in a storage tote in a wooded area. Rothenbusch and two other men, Rick Sheppard and Walter Wade, failed to report Fuhr-Storms' death after she died in a Middletown, Ohio home connected to Rothenbusch and Sheppard.

Why it matters

This case highlights the tragic consequences of drug use and the failure to report a death, which led to the improper disposal of a pregnant woman's body. It raises questions about accountability, the opioid crisis, and the need for better support systems to prevent such incidents from occurring.

The details

According to authorities, Fuhr-Storms died of an alleged overdose in a Middletown, Ohio home connected to Rothenbusch and Sheppard. The men kept her body in the bathtub for four days before dumping it in a sealed plastic storage tote in a wooded area. Rothenbusch told the judge he was high on methamphetamine at the time and "just didn't know what to do. I was scared to death."

  • On August 3, 2025, Fuhr-Storms' body was found stuffed in a storage tote in a wooded area.
  • On February 12, 2026, James Rothenbusch was sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in the cover-up.

The players

James Rothenbusch

A 52-year-old Ohio man who pleaded guilty to complicity to tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Brittany Fuhr-Storms.

Brittany Fuhr-Storms

A 28-year-old pregnant woman whose body was found stuffed in a storage tote in a wooded area.

Rick Sheppard

A 47-year-old Ohio man who is expected to go on trial next month for his role in the cover-up.

Walter Wade

A 44-year-old Ohio man who is also expected to go on trial next month for his role in the cover-up.

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What they’re saying

“She died in his house with my nephew, and instead of celebrating the birth of her baby boy and her birthday, the family had to plan a funeral.”

— Nathan Isaacs, Brittany Fuhr-Storms' brother

“The fact that that person did not call when that happened, and she laid in there, in that tub for a few days, and they planned on doing God knows what to her body, and to dispose of her body in a tote tells me that they're guilty of so much more.”

— Nathan Isaacs, Brittany Fuhr-Storms' brother

“I was high on methamphetamine at the time of Fuhr-Storms' death and just didn't know what to do. I was scared to death.”

— James Rothenbusch

What’s next

Sheppard and Wade are scheduled to go on trial next month for their roles in the cover-up. Sheppard's trial is set for March 16, while Wade's trial is scheduled for March 9.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating consequences of drug use and the failure to report a death, which led to the improper disposal of a pregnant woman's body. It underscores the need for better support systems and accountability to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.